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From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said he is fulfilled leaving office after successfully establishing two state universities within four years, thereby making history as the first governor to do so in the whole of North Central.
He said this at the official opening and maiden matriculation of Kogi State University, Kabba, yesterday, noting that his vision for the establishment of a university in Kabba had been fulfilled and he was a happy man.
The governor said he met a state that was in a deplorable situation, but expressed gratitude to God that he would be handing over the state better than he met it.
“Today, I’m fulfilled. I promised to be part of the ceremony for the first set of matriculating students. I feel fulfilled and satisfied that we achieved our dreams.
“Nigerians now have no reason not to acquire university education. I call on Nigerians to latch on to the students loan scheme of President Bola Tinubu to acquire education.
“I urge the people of Kogi State to play politics of inclusion rather than adopt the pull-him-down style of politics. When we started this university, there were many distractions. But because I remained focused, I refused to be distracted.
“We made education one of our thematic areas on assumption of office. I’m happy we are rated the best in our geopolitical zone in the area of education.
“Today, we have the best health facilities in Nigeria. Rather than travel to seek medical attention outside the country, I urge our people to take advantage of the reference hospital, the best in Nigeria, to seek medical attention,” he said.
Governor Bello thanked the people of for the support he enjoyed, which had made his administration a positive reference, saying: “I came hale and hearty and I’m happy I’m leaving fulfilled.”
Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Kehinde Eniola, described the official opening of the university and the matriculation as a fulfilment of Governor Bello’s love for education.
The university established on June 26, 2023 has three faculties with 25 programmes and conducted its maiden matriculation ceremony for about 1,200 students.
Eniola said: “The university is poised to train globally competitive, nationally recognised and locally relevant students who would make both the country and their parents proud.
Eniola disclosed the institution has already set up a standard to beat the best university around and to become the best in no distant time.
He vows to lead a team of management that is resourceful, diligent and upright and transparent to both the students and their parents and guardians, stressing the school has set out in a strong footing.
The vice chancellor said the school which was initially approved by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) to admit 500 students as take off, expressed surprise that within three days, the 500 allocation was filled up by the students which made the school to seek for more approvals of students intake with NUC now giving them the go ahead to admit 1,750 students.
While thanking Governor Bello for his foresight and doggedness in establishing the institution within few months, he said in less than five years, the school will greatly transform the socio-economic activities of the area.
Eniola, who earlier conducted news men round the ongoing projects in the school, noted the school will offer remedial and IjMB courses to students who could not make up for the admission in this session.
